Achieving strength–ductility synergy in aluminum matrix composites through promoting the intragranular distribution of nanoparticles

Achieving a uniform intragranular dispersion of nano-reinforcements in the powder metallurgy preparation of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is still a challenging problem. In order to alleviate this problem, the repeated deformation ball milling (RDBM) process is proposed, which can effectively inhibit the cold-welding phenomenon of composite powder, restart the plastic deformation process of composite powder, and improve the uniformity of reinforcements. The results show that the SiC nanoparticles (SiC p ) reinforced M142 composites prepared by the RDBM process show a uniform distribution of intragranular SiC p within matrix. Therefore, compared with conventional ball milled SiC p /M142 composites, the ultimate tensile strength and ductility of RDBMed SiC p /M142 composites are increased by 22% and 26%, respectively. The results show that RDBM process is an effective dispersion strategy. This work provides a new idea into the preparation of high strength and high ductility MMCs processed by powder metallurgy.